The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has welcomed a pledge by the Scottish Labor Party to roll out AI-enabled scanners and expand the diagnostic workforce in Scotland if elected.
In a statement, RCR President Dr. Stephen Harden said the commitment to replace aging equipment would help patients get scans faster, while the workforce pledge would address pressure on radiology departments facing rising demand.
Scotland's diagnostic imaging backlog has grown substantially in recent years, the RCR noted. In 2025, 430,000 CT and MRI scans were carried out in Scotland -- 6% more than in 2024 -- while the number of clinical radiologists grew by only 3% over a comparable period. Most patients in Scotland waited more than six weeks for a CT or MRI scan throughout 2025, despite an interim target for 95% of referrals to be seen within that time frame, the college said.
